Rare Cameo Rings

By Jon Kreps

The classic cameo is a design that literally goes back thousands of years; All but disappearing during the Middle Ages until the Renaissance rekindled interest in the ancient Romans and Greeks. Napoleon Bonaparte also played his part in the history of the cameo, making it very popular with the masses at the start of the 19th Century. To this day, cameo designs can be found on any type of jewelry, including:

• Pendants
• Rings
• Necklaces
• Bracelets
• Ankle Bracelets

Spotting a cameo is easy because it always features a classic portrait, typically of a woman, but its not the portrait itself makes a cameo valuable. It is common to find many of the newer pieces featuring plastic or glass portraits while older cameos will be made from rarer materials such as Coral or even bone. Attention should also be paid to designs made from:

• Agate
• Bone
• Abalone
• Ivory
• Shells
• Wood

Part of what complicates the entire identification process is the fact that plastic can be crafted to look like stone, shell, or any natural substance. At the end of the day, you will need to look closely at the portrait to see if it is carved or molded. Molded cameos designed to mimic a natural substance will often be noticeably lighter than the carved version. Carved versions are typically worth more, but some molded cameos made from Celluloid or Bakelite can actually be more valuable. However high quality imitation shell and other exotic knock-offs make it hard to identify authentic cameos. Cameos made from glass are easy to spot because you will find dimples, mold marks, or ridges from production.

Every carved cameo is essentially a work of art as it has been hand-made. Complicating the identification process is the fact that the specific features that distinguish a carved and molded piece will vary according to the specific material used to create it. A thin, concave back and very precise lines are hallmark features of carved versions. The thin back and precise lines are common to most carved cameos, but those made from Mother of Pearl or Abalone will actually have a thick, flat back.

Cameos carved out of hard stone will almost always command the most money. Don’t be fooled by a stone portrait that may appear applied or molded. Examine the junction between the plaque and the portrait. There will be a slight concave curve to the back of the portrait, creating a slight gap. But, be careful when purchasing any stone cameo as there are a lot of imitators out there that even collectors have a hard time identifying.

If it weren’t for the continued popularity of the cameo throughout history, the current market would not be filled with so many imitations. In fact, the greater the demand for the timeless designs the more valuable each piece becomes-regardless of its materials or age.

Jon Kreps is a jewelry expert specializing in vintage cameos, indian jewelry, and authentic costume jewelry. To learn more about cameos or other vintage jewelry, visit http://www.vintagetemptations.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jon_Kreps

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